postPublished Jan 31, 2026
Daily Current Affairs – 31 January 2026 for Competitive Exams
This Daily Current Affairs compilation for 31 January 2026 covers high-impact national and international news crucial for UPSC, SSC, Banking, Insurance, Railways, Defence, and State PSC exams. It includes updates on CPI revision, NPS Swasthya Pension Scheme, GIFT City IFSC, AI in education, UNESCO nominations, defence trials, space economy, major MoUs, sports, and important days—presented in an exam-oriented, revision-friendly format.
1️⃣ Introduction – Why in News?
Current affairs play a decisive role in General Awareness sections of government exams. The events of 31 January 2026 highlight India’s policy reforms in inflation measurement, pensions, finance, AI-driven education, agriculture, defence preparedness, space economy, and global diplomacy, making them highly relevant for both Prelims and Mains.
2️⃣ Explanation / Main Content
🏦 Banking, Finance & Business
Comprehensive Update of Consumer Price Index (CPI)
- Ministry: Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation (MoSPI)
- Why in News? Release of Expert Group Report on CPI Base Revision.
- Key Points:
- Adoption of COICOP 2018 (Classification of Individual Consumption According to Purpose).
- CPI 2024 series to include 358 items.
- Data sourced from Household Consumption Expenditure Survey (HCES) 2023–24.
- Official CPI 2024 release scheduled for 12 February 2026.
- Exam Relevance: Inflation, RBI policy, indices.
NPS Swasthya Pension Scheme (Regulatory Sandbox)
- Authority: Pension Fund Regulatory and Development Authority (PFRDA)
- Objective: Integrate healthcare benefits with pension savings.
- Highlights:
- 25% partial withdrawal for medical expenses.
- 100% premature exit if treatment exceeds 70% of corpus.
- Operates under National Pension System (NPS).
- Static GK Link: Pension reforms, social security schemes.
India’s Global Finance Push – GIFT City IFSC
- Highlighted in Economic Survey 2025–26.
- Key Facts:
- 1,034+ entities registered at GIFT IFSC.
- Unified regulator: International Financial Services Centres Authority (IFSCA).
- Punjab & Sind Bank approved to open IFSC branch.
- Exam Angle: International finance, FDI, banking reforms.
🏛️ National & State News
AI Integration in Education – CCSU Pilot
- First AI-enabled State University: Chaudhary Charan Singh University (Meerut).
- Partners: MSDE + Google Cloud.
- Impact:
- AI tutors, skill-gap analysis.
- Aligned with Viksit Bharat 2047.
- Prelims Focus: AI initiatives, education reforms.
UNESCO Nomination – Living Root Bridges
- Location: Khasi & Jaintia Hills, Meghalaya.
- Cultural Landscape Name: Jingkieng Jri / Lyu Chrai.
- Significance: Indigenous eco-engineering, sustainable heritage.
Sampoornata Abhiyan 2.0
- Launched by: NITI Aayog.
- Duration: 28 Jan – 14 Apr 2026.
- Goal: 100% saturation of development indicators in Aspirational Districts.
🌍 International News
India–EU Relations
- 77th Republic Day Chief Guests: EU Commission & Council Presidents.
- Major Outcome:
- Conclusion of India–EU Free Trade Agreement (FTA).
- Exam Importance: International relations, trade agreements.
World Economic Forum (WEF) 2026
- Venue: Davos-Klosters, Switzerland.
- Theme: A Spirit of Dialogue.
- Highlights:
- ₹14.5 lakh crore MoUs by Maharashtra.
- Assam’s first WEF participation.
🛡️ Defence News
Taiwan’s Indigenous Submarine Trial
- Submarine Name: Narwhal (Hai Kun).
- Purpose: Maritime deterrence.
- Exam Focus: Indo-Pacific security, defence technology.
🚀 Science & Technology
India’s Space Economy
- Current Value: USD 8.4 billion.
- Target (2033): USD 44 billion.
- Key Body: IN-SPACe (Indian National Space Promotion and Authorization Centre).
- Prelims Link: Space policy, startups.
🤝 MoUs & Agreements
IIMA – School of Artificial Intelligence
- Endowment: ₹100 crore.
- Focus: Responsible AI, public impact.
Ayush Digital Outreach
- MoU to enhance AI-based Ayurveda research and online access to Ayush products.
🏅 Sports
Khelo India Winter Games 2026
- Venue: Ladakh.
- Top State: Haryana.
- Mascot: Snow Leopard (Sheen-E-She).
🕊️ Obituary
- Michael Nobbs – Former India men’s hockey coach, passed away at 72.
📅 Important Days
| Date | Observance |
|---|---|
| 30 Jan | Martyrs’ Day |
| 30 Jan | World Leprosy Day |
| 30 Jan | World Neglected Tropical Diseases Day |
📊 Important Tables (Exam-Friendly)
Key Schemes & Initiatives
| Scheme | Ministry | Objective |
|---|---|---|
| NPS Swasthya Pension Scheme | Finance | Health + Pension |
| Sampoornata Abhiyan 2.0 | NITI Aayog | Development saturation |
| PM E-DRIVE | Heavy Industries | EV adoption |
📌 Key Highlights
- CPI 2024 to adopt COICOP 2018.
- First AI-enabled State University launched.
- Living Root Bridges nominated to UNESCO.
- India–EU FTA concluded.
- Space economy targets USD 44 billion by 2033.
🧠 One-Liner Points for Quick Revision
- CPI 2024 series uses COICOP 2018 classification.
- PFRDA launched NPS Swasthya Pension Scheme under Regulatory Sandbox.
- CCSU Meerut became India’s first AI-enabled State University.
- Meghalaya’s living root bridges nominated to UNESCO list.
- GIFT City IFSC central to India’s global finance ambitions.
- India–EU Free Trade Agreement concluded in Jan 2026.
- WEF 2026 held at Davos-Klosters with theme “A Spirit of Dialogue”.
- Taiwan completed first underwater trial of indigenous submarine.
- India’s space economy valued at USD 8.4 billion.
- Khelo India Winter Games 2026 held in Ladakh.
📚 Helpful Resources for Aspirants (JobsMe)
- 👉 Daily Updates: https://jobsme.in/category/daily-current-affairs
- 👉 Free Quizzes: https://jobsme.in/quizzes/daily-current-affairs
- 👉 Weekly CA: https://jobsme.in/category/weekly-current-affairs
- 👉 Monthly CA: https://jobsme.in/category/monthly-current-affairs
- 👉 Static GK: https://jobsme.in/category/static-gk
- 👉 Latest Govt Jobs: https://jobsme.in/jobs
Current Affairs Today simplifies preparation for UPSC, SSC, Banking, Insurance, Railways and other competitive exams by providing Daily, Weekly and Monthly Current Affairs PDFs, quizzes and revision notes through JobsMe.
📘 Important Abbreviations & Full Forms – Current Affairs (31 Jan 2026)
| Abbreviation | Full Form | Exam Relevance / Notes |
|---|---|---|
| CPI | Consumer Price Index | Measures inflation; used by RBI |
| MoSPI | Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation | Releases CPI, surveys |
| COICOP | Classification of Individual Consumption According to Purpose | Used for CPI classification |
| HCES | Household Consumption Expenditure Survey | Basis for CPI 2024 weights |
| RBI | Reserve Bank of India | Central bank of India |
| NPS | National Pension System | Retirement savings scheme |
| PFRDA | Pension Fund Regulatory and Development Authority | Regulator of NPS & APY |
| PoC | Proof of Concept | Pilot testing phase |
| MSF | Multiple Scheme Framework | Framework under NPS |
| CSA | Common Scheme Account | Mandatory for NPS subscribers |
| IFSC | International Financial Services Centre | Global finance hub |
| GIFT | Gujarat International Finance Tec-City | India’s first IFSC |
| IFSCA | International Financial Services Centres Authority | Unified IFSC regulator |
| FDI | Foreign Direct Investment | Important in trade & economy |
| EU | European Union | India–EU relations |
| FTA | Free Trade Agreement | Trade liberalisation |
| WEF | World Economic Forum | Global economic forum |
| AI | Artificial Intelligence | Education, governance, tech |
| MSDE | Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship | Skill & AI initiatives |
| MoE | Ministry of Education | Education policy |
| CCSU | Chaudhary Charan Singh University | AI-enabled pilot university |
| UNESCO | United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization | World heritage |
| NTDs | Neglected Tropical Diseases | Important health observance |
| IN-SPACe | Indian National Space Promotion and Authorization Centre | Space sector regulator |
| ISRO | Indian Space Research Organisation | Space missions |
| IIMA | Indian Institute of Management Ahmedabad | Premier management institute |
| MoU | Memorandum of Understanding | Agreements & cooperation |
| AYUSH | Ayurveda, Yoga & Naturopathy, Unani, Siddha, Homeopathy | Traditional medicine |
| PSB | Public Sector Bank | Banking exams |
| KG Basin | Krishna–Godavari Basin | Energy & resources |
| ONGC | Oil and Natural Gas Corporation | PSU – energy |
| RIL | Reliance Industries Limited | Corporate economy |
| EV | Electric Vehicle | Clean energy |
| PM E-DRIVE | Prime Minister Electric Drive Revolution in Innovative Vehicle Enhancement | EV incentive scheme |
| GDP | Gross Domestic Product | Economic indicator |
| NTPC | National Thermal Power Corporation | PSU (static GK link) |
| NITI | National Institution for Transforming India | Policy think tank |
| FY | Financial Year | Economy & budgeting |
🧠 Quick Exam Tip
🔹 Abbreviations + Full Forms are high-frequency questions in SSC CGL, IBPS Clerk/PO, RBI Grade B, UPSC Prelims & Railways.
🔹 Revise this table before mock tests & last-minute revision.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1. Which authority regulates the National Pension System?
Pension Fund Regulatory and Development Authority (PFRDA).
Q2. What is COICOP used for?
Classification of individual consumption for CPI calculation.
Q3. Where is GIFT City located?
Gandhinagar, Gujarat.
Q4. What is IN-SPACe?
Indian National Space Promotion and Authorization Centre.
Q5. Which day is observed as Martyrs’ Day in India?
30 January.
